This extensive biography presents James Conant as a brilliant chemist, an outstanding college president, a talented administrator, and an accomplished diplomat. Conant, while not as well-known as some of his contemporaries, was a talented organic chemist. He became president of Harvard before accepting a wartime appointment as the chairman of the National Research Defense Council. Working with Vannevar Bush, Conant initiated research on the atomic bomb and played an important role in its production. The author, a historian and Conant's granddaughter, provides an engaging picture of the lesser known but important figure in twentieth century history.